The Bourne Legacy Blu-ray Review

The 1080p/AVC High Definition video transfer of "The Bourne Legacy" presents a highly impressive visual experience. Detail retention is notably sharp throughout, despite the intentionally gritty stylisation. The transfer excellently captures fine object detail, skin tones, background textures, and clothing weaves, without introducing unwanted digital defects. There is an occasional hint of crush in darker tones, possibly inherent to the source material rather than the transfer, but overall, there is no banding, aliasing, or blocking observed. The colour palette leans toward a stylised, blue-dominant scheme but manages to represent vivid and vibrant colors accurately along with robust black levels. This results in a transfer that is commendably close to perfection.

The video presentation shines through with its striking contrast, deeply saturated colors, and appreciable three-dimensional acuity. Visual perspective in both low lighting and darkened scenes is impressive, rendering dark scenes with decent depth. Images are dynamic and boldly colorful, maintaining clarity even in close-up shots. While the reds of Renner's coat in the opening scene are prone to crushing, this is more a characteristic of the original photography than a flaw in the transfer. The encode is proficiently executed, exhibiting clean and well-defined edges with minimal ringing, intact grain structure, and finely resolved textures.

Despite some minor blemishes like occasional noise and unnatural edge definitions in a few scenes, the overall result is overwhelmingly positive. The Blu-ray transfer leverages strong black levels and natural whites without artifacting or banding distractions. When the disc performs well, it delivers spectacular visuals, effectively capturing the film’s intended aesthetic. When off-mark, the minor imperfections are noticeable but don't detract significantly from an overall outstanding video presentation quality.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track for The Bourne Legacy provides an exceptional auditory experience that thoroughly immerses the viewer. This high-resolution audio presentation ensures immaculate clarity, heightened dynamic range, and detailed environmental sounds that transport you straight into the movie's narrative. From the outset, the sound mix carefully integrates atmospheric elements to enhance tension, creating a fully enveloping soundscape. Whether it be the crackling of snow underfoot, the cacophony of a bustling city, or the tense silence of a black ops lab, every location is meticulously brought to life. Action sequences benefit particularly well, with gunfire, explosions, and car crashes rendered with compelling depth and realism, aided by a powerful LFE channel that bolsters each impactful moment.

Dialogue is consistently clear and well-prioritized, emerging seamlessly from the front channels without ever being drowned out by the energetic background elements. The track's precise directionality ensures that effects such as bullets whizzing past or vehicles speeding across screen are both accurate and convincing. The surround and rear channels are put to excellent use, creating a richly layered sound environment. James Newton Howard's pulsating score is delivered with substantial presence, augmenting the viewing experience significantly by weaving throughout the soundfield to maintain engagement constantly.

The balanced deployment of both discrete and ambient effects further amplifies the overall immersive quality. Subtle background noises and off-screen cues are detected with precise spatial dimension, enhancing room dynamics to make the viewer feel embedded within the unfolding drama. Bass output is room-rumbling yet controlled, contributing significantly to action scenes without becoming overwhelming. This expertly crafted DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track transforms The Bourne Legacy into a sonic powerhouse that elevates the film well beyond its visual and narrative elements.

The Blu-ray of "The Bourne Legacy" provides a robust collection of extras that offer comprehensive insights into the film's creation. The audio commentary features Director Tony Gilroy, co-writers, the editor, and other key crew members, delivering a detailed yet occasionally overwhelming discussion about the production intricacies and franchise continuity. The deleted scenes include three cuts, with optional commentary, adding interesting but non-essential context to the film. Featurettes like "Re-Bourne," "Enter Aaron Cross," and "Crossing Continents" spotlight the challenges of continuing the Bourne series without its titular character and the efforts to establish Jeremy Renner's Aaron Cross in the series. Other featurettes, such as "Man vs. Wolf" and "Capturing Chaos: The Motorbike Chase," delve into specific action sequences, providing an engaging behind-the-scenes view.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: In-depth discussion with director, co-writers, editor, and key crew.
• Deleted Scenes: Three scenes with optional commentary.
• Re-Bourne: Insight into expanding the series without Jason Bourne.
• Enter Aaron Cross: Focus on introducing Jeremy Renner's character.
• Crossing Continents: Filming at international locations.
• Moving Targets: Exploring dual focus on Aaron and Marta.
• Man vs. Wolf: Behind-the-scenes of wolf sequences.
• Wolf Sequence Test: Animated storyboards for wolf attack.
• Capturing Chaos: Filming the climactic motorbike chase.

"The Bourne Legacy" ventures into uncharted territory with a fresh protagonist, Aaron Cross, portrayed by Jeremy Renner. The storyline delves deeper into the clandestine operations hinted at in the previous Bourne films, particularly in the wake of Jason Bourne's exposure of Operation Blackbriar and Treadstone. This installment aims to expand the franchise's mythology, unveiling a web of covert programs and super-soldier initiatives. Despite echoing familiar beats from its predecessors, "The Bourne Legacy" presents a genetically-enhanced agent navigating a perilous game of survival, crafted with Tony Gilroy's signature intelligence and tension-filled narrative.

Although Renner’s performance as Cross is commendable, embodying a capable and engaging lead, the film struggles under the weight of comparisons to its forebears. The introduction of advanced scientific enhancements and super-soldiering elements pushes the plot towards more of a science-fiction realm, diverging from the grounded espionage tone that defined the earlier entries. This shift may feel jarring to long-time fans who cherished the gritty realism of Matt Damon's Jason Bourne. Furthermore, the relentless callbacks to Bourne, including frequent photographic cameos and drawn-out exposition, underscore the overshadowing absence of Damon.

Technically, the Blu-ray release is top-notch, featuring stunning visual and audio quality. The action sequences — notably the high-octane motorcycle chase through Manila and intense hand-to-hand combat scenes — are meticulously choreographed, showcasing Gilroy's adeptness at directing thrilling set-pieces. However, despite these merits and strong supporting performances from Rachel Weisz and Edward Norton, "The Bourne Legacy" intermittently falters with pacing issues and a plot that occasionally feels overcomplicated. It remains an exhilarating watch but lacks the finesse and emotional depth that made the original trilogy iconic. As an expansion of the Bourne universe, it holds promise, yet it also highlights the challenges of continuing the legacy without its titular character.

"The Bourne Legacy" Blu-ray delivers a solid continuation of the Bourne franchise, although it occasionally struggles to justify its place within the series. Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz provide compelling performances, suggesting potential longevity for the series beyond Matt Damon's original portrayal of Jason Bourne. Edward Norton’s performance subtly channels prior roles, adding to the franchise’s depth. The film features an array of intense action sequences, notably an exceptional chase scene and several fierce fight sequences that help maintain engagement. However, the plot sometimes feels uneven, struggling to gain and sustain consistent momentum.

From a technical perspective, Universal's Blu-ray release excels in delivering top-tier quality. The video transfer is near-perfect, boasting sharp images and vibrant colors. The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track impresses with its immersive soundscape, capturing every detail from subtle environmental noises to explosive action sequences. Additionally, the Blu-ray includes a solid selection of HD supplements, with some particularly well-crafted special features providing valuable behind-the-scenes insights.

In conclusion, despite its narrative pacing issues and attempts to justify its place in the Bourne universe, "The Bourne Legacy" Blu-ray is a commendable addition to the series. Its strong performances, exhilarating action, and outstanding technical presentation make it a worthwhile experience for fans. Renner and Weisz's performances suggest a promising future for the franchise, leaving viewers eager for potentially more explorations into this intricate saga.